White House sets new policy on remote-sensing

By Dawn S. Onley

By Dawn S. Onley

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A new national policy on remote-sensing satellites allows a greater role for commercial ventures.

The policy places controls on the export of sensitive information or systems to foreign nations, saying that export of that information would be approved "only rarely on a case-by-case basis." The policy puts Secretary of State Colin Powell, Rumsfeld and Tenet in charge of maintaining a Sensitive Technology List that defines what's covered by the export controls.The White House issued the last commercial remote-sensing space policy in March 1994.

The White House has released a national policy governing the licensing and operation of remote-sensing space systems used to collect imagery and geospatial data.

To address the government's increased need for and reliance on privately owned commercial space systems to protect national security, the U.S. Commercial Remote Sensing Space Policy stresses that private systems should be built to meet security standards set by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Pentagon.

The policy, signed April 25 but released earlier this week, also spells out the levels of foreign access to U.S. commercial remote-sensing space capabilities, as well as government-to-government intelligence, and defense and foreign policy relationships involving remote sensing.

Remote-sensing space capabilities refers to spacecraft, ground stations, data links and associated command and control facilities.

The policy also directs Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and CIA Director George J. Tenet to:

  • Determine which needs for imagery and geospatial products and services can be met by commercial remote-sensing space capabilities.


  • Communicate current and projected needs to the commercial remote-sensing space industry.


  • Competitively outsource functions to commercial industry to fill imagery and geospatial needs.


  • Give the National Imagery and Mapping Agency primary responsibility for acquiring and disseminating commercial remote-sensing space products and services for all national security requirements and, in consultation with the State Department, all foreign-policy requirements.







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